The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-02-10
THE BASILISK-
A STORY OF TODAY.
CHAPTER Xxi.

CHATTER MI.
The terrible result of his suspicious
had. solar as could see. only one result
upon Plowitz. No shadow seemed to
rest upon his soul; he appeared on the
day succeeding the tragedy, which had
cost the unfortunate Hardy his life.
with no perceptible diminution Of his
gaiety-no ruflling Of his wonted ur-
banity. Vhc only difference l could
detect in his bearing was sort Of re-
turn to his friendliest manner towards
myself. Illogical though it might be,
IT seemed to me that the murder of the
wrong man had in some way convinced
him that his nascent suspicious Of me
were groundlcss. and detected no longer
that haunting enqniring gaze with
which he had previously been in the
habit Of regarding me.
What did Miss Reanfov know Of the
tragedy9 Icould not make out. Judg-
ing from her evident cognizance Of all
that went on, allowing for the hard in
domitablc spirit Of which she gave such
manifest proofs. and the remorsclcss
mcnlacity with which she lent herself
to the seclusion Of Mary, judged that
she most probably had been made a
partner of my guilty secret. Twas con-
iirmcd in my suspicious before night.
At dinner some carelessness in the
cookery excited Mr.. Bea,foy's remark,
and he commented on Mrs. Hardy's
h:vldiwork So unconcernedly. that felt
once more almost inclined to doubt the
evidence Of my senscs-unable to be-
lieve that the man who calmly criticised
his wife's cooking, had last night as
sisted at the recent intermcnt of the
murdered husband.
poor Mrs. Hardy is good deal up
SET" said the Basilisk very Sympathct-
icallv. ..Therc was quite n scene when
/ told her of Hardy >depariure.
ut is remarkable" commented
Plowitz. show people of that sort. who
are scarcely even barely civil to each
other. take on rs they say when they
are separated.
ESPECIALLY when they have not been
previously consulted about the separa-
ton" said Mr.. Bcaufoy gently.
HAS Hardy gomez l yentured to
ask. though my voice was husky, and ]
could scarcely control myself.
.Ycs," said Ginla. ..Hc has gone
abroad on business of DR.. Plowitz's. =
IAN Invaluable man, Hardy said
the doctor. $50 discreet, SO silent, sc
grave"
with intelligence far above hi!
class. said Beaufoy.
..And never in the way when he!
not wanted"
They We're deliberately attempting :
sort Of testing tone about the poor fellow
who. whatever his faults or crimes, hat
evidently been their faithful and trustee
servant or accomplice. now realized
more fully than ever the despcratcl,
dangerous position in which any act q
indi-crction would place ME.
Poor Mrs. Hardly" the Basilisk con
.inucd. .She became quite dramatic
as those people will when they have los
control over themselves. She wouldn'
believe he had gone without sayin:
goodbye to her, and she evidentl..
thinks Germany as dangerous conn
try for travellers rs Central Africa.
was obliged 1T last to ask her what sh
thought We had done with him.
And what did she say to that?'
asked Plowitz. delicately slipping hi
.laret.
..Oh, then, Of course, she began t
nd hnr
and SO the interview ended"
After dinner had long tete-a-tet
evening with Miss Beaufoy. 1t was m
object in any way to avert allsusricion
to make my position as secure as
could until could devise some mean
of rescuing Mary, making good my es
cape. and. if possible, bringing Plowit
ut least to justice. More tender an
charming than ever was this qucenl
woman tonight: softer her voice, mor
thrilling her music; and eve
while / thought with exultan
hope of that house of unhol
mysteries being ransacked high an
low by the police. felt the spell. as {
very Gree, which Giulia Beaufo
seemed 10 exercise in spite Of reaso
and conscience. and the knowledg
that she was accessory to a deed I
blood.
For all my resolve to use the utmos
caution. found myself, when all wa
quiet the next afternoon, saunterin
close to the little gate which led int
the inncr-garden. All other means {
access to Mary We're secured, cxcel
the secret staircase, and that dare
not venture just yet to try. Standin
BY this gate could see very easily
anyone approached. and should bay
time to resume my usual slow walk %
fore l was observed. / looked abou
me, and then, with no hopes of sue
cess, tried the latch. The gate wa
fast. ratified it softly two or tire
times, but the lock was firm. As
turned away, a sound which filled IN
with regret for my useless rashnes.
caught my ear. The lock was turnet
and the gate opened. l took no motto
Of it, though my nerves got shocl
] believed that no one was at home
Ny steps were arrested by voice, To-
and guarded, calling after me:
.Sir-Mr. Coplcstonc!'
! turned slowly, and saw standin
just inside the gate a woman whom
recognized a Mrs. Hardy.
..Who is it?' asked.
..It's Mrs. Hardy, sir" she replied
"Oh. please, sir, would you be SO goo
as to come and speak to me a minute?
..What do you want with me?"
asked apnroachinr the gate
..Oh, sir!'' she began at once, sea
you tell me anything about my hui
band?'
Was it trap? Anywhere else IL
notion would have been outrageou
but here / did not feel sure that eve
the widow might not be in leagl
with the slayers of the husband to el
trap me into confession which mig
be for the safety of all.
s.Hoy Shollld T know ANYTHING abO,